Town Hall Seattle: Civics Series

Town Hall’s Civics series highlights everything from local policies to world politics. These events offer perspectives on a range of topics as diverse as Seattle itself—a bustling forum for activism, discovery, and thought-provoking discussion.

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Automation reducing the work day to three hours? The basic needs
of food, clothing, and shelter provided for everyone? The only
problem left: how to occupy one’s leisure. That’s the future
British economist John Maynard Keynes predicted in 1930—but it
didn’t happen. Instead we find increasing competition, dwindling
resources, few winners, and lots of losers. Nonetheless, sectors of
the left have revived the dream of luxury for all, arguing that
technology, liberated from the fetters of capitalism, could free us
from the burden of waged work. Panelists include:
author Nick
Srnicek; Nisi Shawl,
journalist and science fiction writer; and author/ professor
Jason
E. Smith. Artist and organizer (and former Town Hall Artist In
Residence) Minh Nguyen
will moderate. This event is presented in partnership with Red May, a project offering
programs around the city. Its mission: “To have one month a year
when people are invited to think outside the box—that box being
capitalism.”

Recorded live at Town Hall Seattle Friday, May 5, 2017

About the Podcast

The Civics series at Town Hall shines a light on the shifting issues, movements, and policies, that affect our world. These events pose questions and ideas, big and small, that have the power to inform and impact our lives. Whether it be constitutional research from a scholar, a new take on history, or the birth of a movement, it’s all about educating and empowering.